Woman, 75, Fights Off Alleged Purse Snatcher

ROSWELL, GA -- A 75-year-old woman visiting the post office last month in Roswell engaged in a dangerous struggle with an unidentified man she said tried to take her purse, and police are using the case to remind residents that incidents such as these can easily turn deadly.

Officers were dispatched around 3:17 p.m. Nov. 21 to the U.S. Post Office at 8920 Eves Road and met with the victim, who said she was standing next to the counter at the door filling out envelops she planned to mail.

She placed her purse on the counter next to her and said she "saw a dark hand reach down and grab the top of her purse," according to an incident report released by the Roswell Police Department.

The woman turned around to face the alleged thief, who she said was trying to bolt out of the door with her bag. She grabbed the man by the collar of his hoodie as he tried to leave the post office, the report states.

She held onto the male as he made his way to a waiting car and climbed into the vehicle. Undeterred, the woman "kept pulling on the handle and opened the door."

"She fell on top of him while clutching her purse," the officer added. "She kept pulling and during the struggle, the driver and passenger of the car kept yelling at the man to give her the purse back."

The male let go of the purse, and gave it back to the woman. The car drove off, and the subjects left the post office.

The woman told WSB-TV that she had her purse taken once before and was determined not to let it happen again. She added she knew she did a "foolish" thing by holding onto the man and following him out to the vehicle.

Roswell police spokesperson Lisa Holland said the department would never recommend fighting off a suspect who is trying to steal anything from you.

In situations such as this, Holland said the best thing a person can do is to be a good witness by remembering details of the subject, such as what he or she looks like and what the person was wearing. If a car is involved, it also helps if one can get the vehicle's description and, if possible, the tag number.

"Nothing in your purse is worth getting hurt over," she added." Items in your purse are easily replaced, but your life isn’t."

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